Just as weights and measurements are not standardized throughout the world—in America we use pounds and miles, while in Canada, South Africa and Europe they use kilograms and kilometers—neither are the spelling of words in those countries the same.
Here are some common examples:
| United States | Canada/South Africa/Europe |
| -or vs. -our | |
| Behavior | Behaviour |
| Color | Colour |
| Flavor | Flavour |
| Harbor | Harbour |
| Honor | Honour |
| Humor | Humour |
| Labor | Labour |
| Neighbor | Neighbour |
| Rumor | Rumour |
| -er vs. -re | |
| Caliber | Calibre |
| Center | Centre |
| Fiber | Fibre |
| Liter | Litre |
| Luster | Lustre |
| Meager | Meagre |
| Meter | Metre |
| Ocher | Ochre |
| Somber | Sombre |
| Specter | Spectre |
| Theater | Theatre |
| -se vs. -ce | |
| Defense | Defence |
| Offense | Offence |
| Pretense | Pretence |
| -ize vs. -ise | Note: although Canada differs from the U.S. in other spelling, it uses -ize |
| Organize | Organise |
| Realize | Realise |
| Recognize | Recognise |
| -yze vs. -yse | Note: Once again, although Canada differs from the U.S. in other spelling, it uses -yze |
| Analyze | Analyse |
| Catalyze | Catalyse |
| Paralyze | Paralyse |
| -og vs. -ogue | |
| Analog | Analogue |
| Catalog | Catalogue |
| Dialog | Dialogue |
| Monolog | Monologue |
| Other | |
| Check | Cheque (a form of payment; not in ‘to check’ something) |
| Maneuver | Manœuvre |
| Program | Programme |
Whether you want your manuscript or document to have American or British spelling, you can count on me to navigate you through all the spelling and grammatical landmines…and bring you safely to the other side!
Have a wonderful day.
Yours in crisp, error-free writing,
Jessica xx